Match-box.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

M. MEIS.

MATOH BOX. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1906.

Z6, f/VVE/VTOR.

WITNESSES:

A TTORNEYS THE "cums PETERS ca., wnsmncron, n. c. v

MICHAEL MEIS, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

MATCH-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

Application filed March 24,1906. Serial No, 307.893-

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, MIoHAEL MErs, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota,have invented a new and useful Match- Box, of which the following is aspecification.-

This invention relates to portable or pocket match-boxes of thetelescopic variety such as are commonly employed for containing parloror safety matches.

In using telescopic match-boxes it is well known that difficulty isfrequently experienced in removing matches, especially when the box isquite full, this difficulty being due to the fact that it is necessaryto withdraw the inner box member a considerable dis tance from the outerbox member in order to grasp a match with the fingers and withdraw itfrom the box. Furthermore, it is well known that by reason of theextensive improvements which have been introduced from time to time inthe art of manufacturing and assembling matches in boxes the retail costof matches has been reduced to such a low figure that the utmost economymust be practiced in the manufacture of ordinary match-boxes.

The object of this invention is to provide a portable match-box whichwhile it is practically as simple and inexpensive in construction as theordinary telescopic box is yet capable of permitting a match to beeasily and quickly withdrawn, even when the box is full, without thenecessity of removing the inner box member a considerable distance outof the outer box member.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope ofthe following claims without departing from the spirit of the inventionor sacrificing any of its advantages.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a perspective view of a match-box embodying the invention. Fig. 2is a vertical sectional view of the same.

Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in both figures ofthe drawin s.

The improved match-box of this invention comprises an outer box member1, which is of uniform size throughout its length and is formed withopen ends and closed side, front, and rear walls, the front wall beingformed in its lower edge with an approximately semicircular notch 3, asshown clearly in the drawings. Telescopically arranged within the outerbox member 1 in the usual manner is an inner box member 2, having closedupper and lower end walls and an open front. The parts thus fardescribed are the same as in an, ordinary and wellknown telescopicsafety-match box. In carrying out the present invention the lower endwall 4 of the inner box member 2 is inclined downwardly from its rear toits forward edge, as shown clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the lowered e of said downwardly-inclined lower end wal 4 being formed with anapproximately semicircular finger-notch 5. The inclined lower end wall 4is located within the lower end of the outer member 1, as shown, and theside walls of the inner member 2 of course are inclined or cut away attheir lower ends, so as to receive the end Wall 4. As will be appar entfrom Fig. 2, the inclined lower end wall 4 of the inner member 2 and thefront wall of the outer member 1 serve to form an approximately V-shapedhopper at the lower end of the match-box, the lower pointed end of saidV-shaped hopper having a narrow matchdischarge slot with whichfingernotches 3 and 5 are in communication and through which a match canbe readily withdrawn, it being understood that boxes of this characterare usually made of thin material which, if necessary, will give orbend, so as to permit one match at a time to be withdrawn. If it isdesired to withdraw more than one match at a time, it will be understoodthat the discharge-slot formed between the lower edge of the front wallof the outer member and the lower edge of the inclined end wall 4 isadapted to be slightly widened by simply moving the inner member 2downward within the outer member 1.

If it is desired to use the portable -matchbox herein described as awall match-safe, the rear walls of the members 1 and 2 are formedadjacent their upper ends with perforations 6 and 7, adapted to befitted over a nail or other projection 8, connected with a support 9.

For conveinence in striking matches the box is provided on its frontface with a roughened surface 10.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the improvementsof this invention can be used 1n connection with the ordinary safety orparlor match box without appreciably increasing the cost of manufacture.

What is claimed is- 1. A match-box comprising an outer box member having0 en ends and closed side, front and rear wal s, the front wall having afinger-notch in its lower edge, and an inner box member having closedupper and lower end walls and an open front, the lower end wall of saidinner box member being inclined downwardly from its rear to its forwardedge and having a finger-notch in its lower edge, the inclined lower endwall of the inner member and the front wall of the outer member servingto form an approximately V-shaped hopper having at its lower pointed enda match-discharge slot.

2. A match-box comprising an outer box member of uniform size throughoutits length, said outer box member having open ends and closed side,front and rear walls, the front wall having a finger-notch in its loweredge, and an inner box member having closed upper and lower end wallsand an open front, the lower end wall of said inner box member 30 beinglocated within the lower end of the outer member and inclined downwardlyfrom its rear to its forward edge and having a finger-notch therein, theinclined lower end wall of the inner member and the front wall of theouter member serving to form an approximately V-shaped hopper having atits lower pointed end a narrow match-discharge slot which is adapted tobe widened bymovmg the inner box member downward with respect to theouter box member.

3. A match-box comprising an outer box member having a finger-notch inthe lower edge of its front wall, and an inner box member having itsbottom inclined downwardly from its rear to its front edge and having afinger-notch in its front edge, the front wall of the outer member andthe inclined bottom of the inner member forming an approximatelyV-shaped hopper having a match-discharge slot at its pointed end adaptedto be widened by moving the inner member downward in the outer member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aliixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL MEIS.

Witnesses:

- JOHN R. WILBOR,

ERMA L. WVILLoox.

